Frank Stephon Lovero Sr. at the age of 82, passed away peacefully with his family and friends by his side in Visalia, California. Frank was born in Visalia, California to Teresa and Stephon F. Lovero.
Frank was raised in Ivanhoe, and went to Visalia Union High School. He graduated in 1948 and upon graduation went to work for Visalia Concrete Pipe Co. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, had basic training in Lackland, Texas and then went on to Fort Sam Houston Medical School to be an operating room technician. From Texas, Frank went to Miami, Florida International Airport where he took over medical duties for the flight line on base. After four months in Florida, he went to Nagoya, Japan for duty in the 6110 Hospital Group where he took care of medical air-evacuations coming in from Korea. Frank was fortunate to do a little traveling while in the Air Force which included seeing the Palace Grounds in Tokyo on the day they opened to the public. Frank finished out his career in the military at Travis Air Force Base in the medical records department.
After returning home from the service, Frank met Barbara J. Ezell on a blind date and married in 1955. Frank and Barbara had one son, Frank S. Lovero, Jr. In 1961, he purchased Willis Street Liquor and in 1964 moved the business across the street and built Frank’s Liquor and Superette, where it remains today. Frank loved the liquor business and the diversity of people who walked through the door. If Frank had a person walk through the doors that was from out of the country, he would always give them a souvenir to take back home.
Frank was a long time member of the Visalia Breakfast Lions, the Son’s of Italy Lodge, and was on the board at the Visalia Veterans Memorial Building for past 38 years. He was also President of the Central Valley Liquor Dealers Association and went on to be the State President. Frank and Barbara enjoyed traveling with the Liquor Dealers Association all over the world.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Teresa and Stephon Lovero; and Barbara Lovero, his devoted wife of 56 years. Frank is survived by his son, Frank Jr. and wife Liz; grandchildren, Nick Giannandrea and Melanie Giannandrea; four great grandchildren; brother Vito Lovero and wife Mary of Fresno; and his sister Laura Lovero of Lincoln, Ca. Frank is also survived by numerous family members and friends who loved and cared for him.
The Lovero family would like to thank the nursing staff at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, Kaweah Delta Home Healthcare, Hospice and everyone at Delta Nursing for the excellent care given to Frank during this difficult time.
Graveside services will be held at the Visalia Cemetery Pavilion on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, please send your caring donation to the American Cancer Society.
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